Universität Wien
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142077 PS Material Culture: Indian Religions through 10 Objects (2022S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 36 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes

The dates are: Tues, 11:00-12:30, SR 1// 3/1; 3/8; 3/15; 3/22; 3/29; 5/3; 5/10; 5/24; 6/14; 6/21.
It is expected that the course will be delivered in person, although a hybrid format is possible if needed. "Hybrid" means that students can attend on-site *or* online. However, if attending on-site, please come to the University vaccinated or recovered and with a valid PCR test (48 hours).
Those who cannot/won't be on-site should contact me in advance so we can discuss sessions to be streamed via Moodle. This should be an exception for those who cannot come in person rather than the rule.
If possible, please attend the first session in person on March 1, 2022.

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this seminar, we will examine Indian religions through the lens of material objects and their use in religious practice. Materiality is not secondary to ideas, but materiality triggers ideas and states of mind that influence material practices. We will study Indian religions through objects with the assumption that things, their usage, valuation, and power of attraction are inseparable from religion. Each object has its own biography and social agency. The same object can tell a completely different story depending on the perspective one looks at it and its context. The theoretical and methodological approach often referred to as the "material turn" gives us the opportunity to analyze Indian religions from an often-neglected perspective.
Students will have the opportunity not only to experience the socio-cultural aspects of Indian religions through selected objects in class, but they will also be able to apply these methodological approaches by researching the social-life of an artifact from the collection of the Weltmuseum in Vienna.

The Seminar will be held in German (Assignments can be, however, submitted in Englisch as well)

Assessment and permitted materials

Active participation in the weekly discussions. Critical questions or a short written response to the reading material provided for each session (to be sent before each session). Mini-research on a particular object to be delivered in the form of a paper at the end of the Semester.
Details will be explained during the first session.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Regular and active participation in each Seminar session. In the case of absence without good reason (illness or similar) points will be deducted. The student will have to write a final paper.

Examination topics

Reading material and themes from the weekly discussion. A bibliography and reading material will be provided via Moodle.

Reading list

Will be provided on Moodle during the semester.

Association in the course directory

BA5

Last modified: Th 03.03.2022 15:28